Hospital mechanic files civil rights suit

A Harris County man brought suit against a hospital for alleged discrimination in employment practices, citing civil rights infringement.

Adam Turner filed against Methodist Hospital, doing business as Houston Methodist, on Dec. 16, 2014, in the Houston Division of U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas, claiming systematic discrimination, retaliation and employment law violation.

Turner was hired by the defendant as an HVAC specialist in June 2012. His duties included taking calls and prioritizing work orders for immediate needs along with preventive maintenance. Occasionally, he had to juggle tasks, creating the need to travel between different departments quickly, according to court documents.

The complaint states that Turner requested training support on numerous occasions but was repeatedly denied the opportunity; consequently, he claims, he was deliberately positioned to be targeted as noncompliant with procedures by hospital personnel.

The plaintiff asserts, for example, that his superiors willfully misinterpreted video footage showing him surveying areas and sitting down to rest for a minute by claiming he was loitering. Turner was denied a promotion in August 2013; according to court documents, the job went to an under-qualified white male. Turner is African-American.

Citing a hostile work environment and retaliation, injury to reputation and distress, Turner alleges that blacks are held to a higher standard by the defendant.

The plaintiff seeks compensatory and punitive damages for lost earnings and benefits; attorney’s and witness fees; expenses; and costs. He is represented by attorney Debra Jennings of Missouri City.
U.S. District Court's Houston Division of the Southern District of Texas, case no. 4:14-cv-03575